Kiteboarder Assessment & Rescue

1. Kiteboarder Assessment & Rescue Presented to United States Lifesaving Association Educational Conference Cocoa Beach, FL November 7, 2008

2. Warning • This PowerPoint presentation is not an acceptable substitute for proper training in kiteboarder rescue. • It is provided for general informational purposes only. • Secure proper training in appropriate procedures and precautions before undertaking kiteboarder rescue.

3. Kiteboarding Introduction Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world today. Right now there are approximately 120,000 Kiteboarders in the world, and growing every day. Most schools and communities of Kiteboarders are extremely willing to work with you. If there is not a school there is normally a community leader who can be approached. The main causes of injuries are bad weather and poor decisions involving lack of experience/formal training of the Kiteboarder.

4. Identifying the problem Crashed Kiteboarder Retrieval • Recognition • Binoculars: • Distant kiter may be difficult to see particularly in waves • Watch for body movement/language • Kiters move slowly and take time to relaunch or setup to self-rescue • Swimming or using kite to move, with no board in a controlled manner • Winding up the lines (while in the water) • Self Rescue- Kiteoarder uses the kite to drag him/herself to safety, slowly • All of these are signs that the boarder should be OK

5. Identifying the problem Crashed kiteboarder retrieval Distressed Kiteboarder • Lack of movement- Floating face down, not attempting to make any progress • Prolonged erratic movement, not achieving any progress • Waving arms for help, exhausted and/or panicked • Kiter dragged off or parallel to shore or overwhelmed by conditions (wind, waves, current, temp.) • Sunset is approaching or weather is deteriorating

6. Kiteboarder Rescue Approach • Approach the kite from upwind position (NEVER down wind, staying clear of all the lines) Kite Handling • Always FIRMLY grab the kite by the front inflated edge, preferably at the center • Never grab a line of the kite (it could cut through a limb)

7. Kiteboarder Rescue Securing the Kite On Land From holding the leading edge flip the kite face down on the sand, leading edge pointing into the wind and placing approximately 20 lbs. of sand just behind the leading edge.

8. Securing the kite On the water Pull deflation valve on the center of kite’s leading edge Watch out for line tangles Kiteboarder Rescue

9. Quick Releases & Disabled kites Releasing the kite from the person Quick Releases: 1. Harness to the Chicken Loop 2. Releasing the person from the kite leash 3. Watch out for line tangles Kiteboarder Rescue

10. Video – Releasing the Kite(Click lower left corner of photo)

11. Run Away Kites Causes: • Rider accidentally releases it • Rider needs to release the kite Identifying: • Loose kite flying, through the air, across the water or tumbling downwind on the beach • Kite may gain speed once on land

12. Containing a Run Away Kite Actions: • Position yourself directly downwind of the kite • Clear the area of swimmers and sunbathers • Wait for the kite to come to you at the waters edge. • Do not allow it to blow on to the beach and gain speed. • Grab kite near the center of the front leading edge only • Do not grab any lines or bar to avoid cuts • Secure the kite (as previously shown)

13. Video - Intercepting Runaway Kites(Click lower left corner of photo)

14. Assisting in the Landing of a Kite • Look for universal “landing” sign • Or, Kiteboarder may be on beach looking around while kite is up in the air • Firmly grab the kite by the leading edge and secure

15. Video - Helping To Land A Kite(Click lower left corner of photo)

16. Personal Rescue Craft(PRC) • Approach the Kiteboarder from up wind • Avoid visible and submerged kite line that can foul propeller or PWC intake • Identify the problem: - IMMEDIATE RESCUE if kiter unconscious, exhausted panicked Immediate Rescue • Release person from the kite & kite leash via two quick releases (Pull Red knobs) or cut all lines to the kite • Watch for line tangles, both kiter and rescuer, be ready to cut free as needed • If feasible recover kite later

17. Personal Rescue Craft Assist securing kite • Approach leading edge of kite from windward at 45 degree angle avoiding all kite lines. • Grab kite’s leading edge and deflate • Once the plug is pulled return to the Kiteboarder with the deflated kite on a semi circle and assist • When assisting a kiter with a PRC two rescuers should do this job. Be ready at all times to kill the engine!

18. 1. Approach Kiter

19. 2. Approach Kite

20. 3. Recover Kite

21. 4. Return to Kiter

22. 5. Recover Kiter

23. PRC Kiteboarder Rescue(Overall View)

24. Common things not to do! • Never grab the bar or lines of a runaway kite • Do not hold the kite by trailing edge • When assisting an injured Kiteboarder on land make sure he is disconnected entirely from his kite and away from all lines • If a Kiteboarder is flying thru the air DO NOT grab the person • Always be aware of where the lines are!!!

25. Thank you! Presentation prepared by: • Gio Serrano, Safety & Rescue Training, LLC - www.safetyrescuetraining.com • Neil Hutchinson, Tiki Beach Watersports - tikibeacheast.com • Rick Iossi, Florida Kitesurfing Association, Inc. - fksa.org Special Thanks to Evan and Helga for assisting in the shooting.